Press release

Hamamatsu is music to the ears of FIVB

Cristobal Marte, FIVB first executive vice president and control committee president for the FIVB Men's World Cup Site B in Hamamatsu, visits with Hamamatsu mayor Yasutomo Suzuki

Hamamatsu, Japan, November 28, 2011 – The FIVB was officially welcomed back to the city of Hamamatsu on November 28 by the city’s top leader as the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup Japan 2011 is making a stop in the city.

The third round of the FIVB Men’s World Cup Site B opened in Hamamatsu on November 27 and continues through November 29. Hamamatsu is hosting six teams and nine total matches over the three days before the teams travel to the final round in Tokyo December 2-4.

Mr. Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, FIVB first executive vice president and control committee president for Site B in Hamamatsu, was welcomed to the Hamamatsu city government office by mayor Yasutomo Suzuki.

“It is always a great experience for teams to play in front of the fans in Hamamatsu,” Mr. Marte Hoffiz said. “Hamamatsu has a long history of FIVB involvement and we have many friends who have dedicated many hours to make this tournament a success. The FIVB thanks all the volunteers for making this round a success in Hamamatsu.”

Among the past events Hamamatsu has hosted include the 2010 FIVB Women’s World Championship Group B, a round in both the 2007 FIVB Women’s World Cup and the 2003 FIVB Men’s World Cup, the 1998 FIVB Men’s World Championship Group H and the 1995 FIVB World Grand Prix Group H.

Musical entertainment has been a staple between matches during matches at Hamamatsu Arena, and it is only fitting that Hamamatsu is known as the “City of Music.” A group of about 35 Naruko kindergarten children performed an audience captivating drum line prior the third match on November 27. To welcome fans to the first match on November 28, a large pack of Kabe kindergarten students performed a musical routine using two colorful parachutes as props.

Along with the designed promotional activities between matches, the fans have gotten into the musical spirit. Of the city’s 275,000 population, it is estimated that 19,000 Japanese Brazilians work in Hamamatsu. The Brazilian connection to the city created a loud, musical and festive environment for when top-ranked Brazil played South American rival Argentina on November 27.